befriending

present participle of befriend

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of befriending After befriending Mal, however, Evie finds a new path, growing into a successful and independent fashion designer. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026 Yes, many passengers on these upscale brief sailings enjoy a drink or two, but befriending a bartender isn’t the mission. David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 2026 Henrietta also had a particular fondness for befriending young women, and disseminating scientific works and sharing knowledge with them. Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 Living in Rio de Janeiro, Luiza dreams of being an artist, eventually befriending a local graffiti group. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 16 June 2026 Utterback, who’d just gotten married and bought a house in Omaha, instead devoted himself to learning on his own, poring over books, making regular trips to Japan, and befriending masters of the craft. Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Palmer-Tomkinson was friends with both William and Prince Harry, befriending them in childhood. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 May 2026 Conrad Weiser was a Pennsylvania German who had roamed the frontier for decades, learning the Indian languages and befriending Indian leaders, including some who encountered Washington in Ohio. Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Things take a turn when Snow, 40, who plays Sophie, moves to Texas and tries befriending the group of East Texas socialites — only for a teen girl named Abby to turn up dead. Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriending
Verb
  • Curtis still felt strongly about Georgia, but the idea of joining Vanderbilt began to gain steam.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • North America's soccer body on Thursday rejected FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors, joining European nations in opposition.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The tens of thousands of people traveling at once and the road closures near the stadium and Atlanta park made driving very unattractive.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Bauers then crushed a three-run homer to right, the ball leaving his bat at 110 mph and traveling 424 feet, for a 6-0 lead.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That digitized some experiences without necessarily connecting them.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • El-Sayed’s efforts to weave a seamless narrative connecting AIPAC to his struggle against wealthy interests has built the Israel lobby into an almost-supernatural force controlling American politics behind the scenes.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Befriending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriending. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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